Blog of the Week
May 6, 2009
Yesterday I was crowned Charlottesville’s “Blog of the Week”. Most shockingly of all, I didn’t bestow this honor upon myself. Marijean Jaggers of WCAV did. It was on the local news last night, check it out!
(There’s a brief 10 second commercial that plays before… click here to read an interview about the blog.)
“This is the best of what blogging does-”
Thank you, Marijean!
What’s funny about the timing is that the station usually shoots some b-roll of the Blogger of the Week to go with the segment, but yesterday was Cinco de Mayo and the Mexican-American working class hero, Bruce Springsteen- AKA “El Bosso”- was in town to celebrate with a big concert.
You can buy his poorly-rendered wax likeness from the Hollywood Wax Museum for $2000-3000.
Well, Mr. Big Bosso, I rest easy knowing that nobody can own me. (Unless they buy a copy of my memoir My Pet Virus or a Synthetic Division song on iTunes, or treat me to a cup of coffee.) You’ve already packed your bags and left down, but I’m just now easing into a weeklong tenure as C’ville’s “Top Blog”.
And, unlike previous honorees, I plan to defend!
Positively Yours,
Shawn
Marijean is a great writer and blogger in her own right. Read a blog from 2007 about talking to her kid for the first time about the history of AIDS while listening to Queen. (Follow Marijean on Twitter: @Marijean Thanks to @hugel for the lead on that horrible Springsteen wax statue.)
Share the Blog. Not the Virus. 
Lift the Ban on Blood
May 5, 2009
In 1985 the matching wrist/headband combo was quietly banned in clubs around the United States. That same year, the government banned gay people from donating blood because of fears surrounding HIV infection. I’m all for keeping blood supplies safe and bountiful- that’s why I support lifting this ban.
Why?
Because it’s dated.
Screening and collecting procedures have improved vastly since 1985. Plus, it is my understanding that one has to fill out a questionnaire to donate blood. Sexual activity should be assessed not on a sexual orientation level, but on a risk assessment level. Most people lie about their sexual history, anyway: so why would someone who wants to donate blood act differently?
And unless it’s Heidi Montag and her Swine Flu Patient Zero, Spencer Pratt, punishing someone based solely on who they are attracted to sexually is wrong.
I won’t be able to donate blood in my lifetime, but as someone with hemophilia I will rely on blood products for the rest of my life. If I am cured of HIV and hemophilia some day- cool- I’ll donate blood. Not being able to do so today, however, makes perfect sense.
If you agree with me about this ban, I say we show our objection in a way that cannot be ignored: with matching head and wristbands.
Positively Yours,
Shawn
Supporters of CA State Assembly member Tom Ammiano (D–San Francisco) resolution -AJR 13- to lift the ban include the American Red Cross,
America’s Blood Centers and the American Association for Blood Banks.
Share the Blog. Not the Virus.
Swine Flu’s Patient Zero?
May 1, 2009
In the HIV epidemic there was “Patient Zero”, a handsome blonde flight attendant who is “credited” for spreading HIV to a large number of people. Well, now that the panic surrounding the Swine Flu has rendered the AIDS epidemic obsolete, I’m proposing a “Patient Zero” theory for this emerging crisis.
This is hard for me to write, because I swore I’d never blog this person’s name. But just yesterday the news broke that two Virginians had tested positive for Swine Flu, and Gwenn came down with a 24-hour bug. She is fine, the Virginians have already been treated and are totally fine, too… but the clock is ticking.
And I can no longer keep vital information to myself.
The Patient Zero of the Swine Flu pandemic is Spencer Pratt.
I don’t want to know anything about Spencer, I don’t watch his show, I don’t even watch his co-star/girlfriend’s attempts to make it in the music industry. But all the Swine signs point to fame-hungry Spencer. And here’s the indisputable evidence that proves Spencer is the new Patient Zero.
- November 2008- Spencer Pratt goes to Mexico to fake marry Heidi.
- FACT- Like HIV’s Patient Zero, Spencer is blonde.
- April 2009 - Spencer and Heidi get married for real… why the rush?
- FACT- During their honeymoon, “Speidi” were quarantined.
There you have it. This is all his fault. Authorities have already allowed Spencer back into the country- we need to get him out, before it’s too late. So, if you care about your statesfolk the way I do, please let friends and loved ones know that they need to stay away from Spencer Pratt. Forward this to your local representative and demand action.
Of course, if you don’t want to give this douche anymore coverage, I respect that. If Swine Flu takes us all down, we can take comfort in knowing that we no longer have to see Spencer and, as the Soup puts it, his “creepy flesh-colored beard.”
Or, as I call her, Heidi.
Positively Yours,
Shawn
Share the Blog. Not the Virus.
Color Theory Wins
May 1, 2009
Follow-Up: Back in March I interviewed electronic musician, Brian Hazzard, who creates music under the name Color Theory. His song, “If It’s My Time To Go”, was up for a second John Lennon Songwriting Contest Award, and I’m happy to say that today he was announced the winner.
Congrats to Brian!
Positively Yours,
Shawn
Share the Blog. Not the Virus.
LIFE IN PHOTOS
Face Time fun with my Goddaughter. She was digging our phone chat- even though we were about three feet away from one another.
Making the enemy quit out with @squirrel_munky and @vaineos :)
Closing out the Joe with @gwennbarringer this afternoon.
Caught in full Mocha Mode...
Speaking About Sexual Health
Since 2000, Shawn and Gwenn have been speaking about sexual health together, sharing their personal story and empowering others to be safe. If you are interested in having them speak at your event, fill out the Contact Us form.
Check out Shawn's music and buy his book, My Pet Virus, which is now available on Kindle!
It will be the funniest book you've ever read about someone having AIDS... guaranteed!